Mapping of zein polypeptides after isoelectric focusing on agarose gels

Isoelectric focusing of zein in agarose gels gives sharp separations of at least 25 bands noted among 25 corn-belt inbreds. Six inbreds provided standard bands which were used to construct a pattern map. A method is provided for comparing bands, identified by distance from the cathode, which differ only slightly in position. The 25 inbreds were separated into five groups on the basis of pattern similarity. Some groups contained inbreds derived from widely different sources. Zein isoelectric focusing in agarose should be useful for genotype identification and for determination of varietal purity.